King County Sheriff won't face charge over alleged groping

Updated 4:41 pm, Friday, December 1, 2017

SEATTLE (AP) — Prosecutors won't file criminal charges against King County Sheriff John Urquhart based on a former deputy's accusation that Urquhart groped him in 2014 outside a restaurant.

The Seattle Times reports Snohomish County Prosecutor Mark Roe said Friday he has declined to file a criminal case following his review of a two-month Renton police investigation.

The investigation found probable cause that Urquhart allegedly committed a potential sex crime against Brian Barnes.

In a letter to the case investigator explaining his legal reasoning, Roe determined the alleged groping did not rise to the level of the charge for felony indecent liberties, and the statute of limitations has passed on an alternative gross misdemeanor charge of assault with sexual motivation.

Urquhart has denied the allegations and is suing Barnes for defamation.